The Dearborn Heights pit bull attack lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. represent victims seriously injured after being attacked by a pit bull. Our firm has successfully represented dog bite victims and their families for over 40 years throughout the State of Michigan, and has the knowledge, expertise, and experience in handling these types of cases. We have a track record of obtaining sizeable Michigan dog bite settlements, jury verdicts and providing the best service possible for our injured clients after being attacked by a pit bull.

Dog Bite Laws

Many cities and counties have ordinances regarding pit bulls and the responsibilities of dog owners. An owner or keeper of a dog who violates these ordinances can be held liable for damages in a civil lawsuit to a dog bite victim that was attacked by a pit bull. The ordinances can be used to prove a case in addition to other Michigan dog bite laws.

Dearborn Heights Pit Bull Laws

In Dearborn Heights, there are laws that apply to dog owners. A full completed list of pit bull ordinances can be found on the Dearborn Heights City website. Specifically, some laws are as follows:

Sec. 6-148.

Any person who shall have in his possession an animal which has contracted rabies or has bitten any person shall, upon demand of the animal warden or any police officer, produce and surrender the animal for observation for a period of ten (10) days. Before any animal impounded by reason of the foregoing provision shall be released, the owner shall be required to pay a fee for each day the animal is impounded, which fee shall be specified by council resolution.

A person who violates any portion of Sec. 6-148 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Code 1969, § 9.114; Ord. No. H-02-10

Sec. 6-162.

Dearborn Heights considers dangerous or vicious animals to be canines that are exposed to rabies, previously found to be a dangerous or vicious animal, or any animal which is capable of inflicting death or serious injury on a person or domesticated animal and which possesses one or more or the following characteristics:

Has attacked or bitten a person engaged in lawful activities.

Has left the property of its owner and killed or seriously injured another animal.

Has chased, confronted, or approached a person on the street, sidewalk, or public property in a menacing fashion such as would put a reasonably prudent person in fear of attack.

Has exhibited a propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack, cause injury, or threaten the safety of persons or other domesticated animals.

Has acted in a manner that causes or should cause its owner to know that it is potentially vicious and/or dangerous.

Ord. No. H-02-24, § I, 7-8-03; Ord. No. H-09-09, § 1, 10-27-09

Dog Bite Lawsuits For Pit Bull Attacks

Michigan law holds the person who owns, keeps, or harbors the dog responsible for a dog bite or attack, regardless of prior knowledge (called, “strict liability” laws) of the viciousness of the animal. Also, the negligence law is used to hold the owner responsible for the attack. This means that the dog owner is liable if the injury occurred because the dog owner was unreasonably careless in controlling the dog. The only defense to the dog owner in these cases is if the victim provoked the attack or was a trespasser on the property.

Contact Your Dearborn Heights Dog Bite Lawyer

If you or a family member were attacked or bitten by a pit bull in Dearborn Heights, you should call our office now at (800) 606-1717 to speak with our top rated pit bull attack lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. We will start working on your case immediately gathering all the evidence and witness statements to win and settle your case.